In a turn of events that left fans and the star herself reeling, Angela Scanlon has been the latest celebrity to bid an early farewell to Strictly Come Dancing.
The 39-year-old TV presenter was "really gutted" after being voted off during Sunday’s results show, missing out on the much-anticipated quarter-finals and the show's musicals special.
After a tense dance-off - and on a season with arguably the show's best ever line-up - Angela and her professional partner Carlos Gu were pitted against Layton Williams and his partner Nikita Kuzmin. The result was a cliffhanger, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke favoring Layton's American Smooth to Bjork’s It’s Oh So Quiet.
Du Beke remarked that neither couple danced their best, but an error made by one of the pairs swayed his decision. Despite this, head judge Shirley Ballas favored Angela and Carlos’s energetic cha-cha to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, highlighting the importance of staying true to the character and timing of the dance.
Breaking the silence
On Instagram, Angela expressed her sense of an unfinished journey with a heartfelt post. "Feels like it's been cut a little short but maybe there's a bigger plan," she mused, sharing her emotional state with followers. Hinting at fan theories about rigged results, Angela disclosed that she felt her exit was "premature."
Growth and gratitude
While soaking in an Epsom salt bath, Angela couldn’t help but cry over her departure. "I'm crying in an Epsom salt bath while eating a cinnamon swirl," she revealed, acknowledging the support she received, "I feel like the luckiest." Angela didn’t shy away from expressing her gratitude for Carlos, calling their meeting an "absolutely unexpected gift" and dubbing him her "favorite."
Angela reflected on her growth, both personal and in her dance skills. She humorously hoped to leave the show with an "arse like Kim Kardashian" and a set of "killer moves" for family weddings but found something much deeper. The show presented her with a challenge against her perfectionist nature, requiring her to perform in front of millions with no control.
Carlos didn’t hold back his admiration for Angela, highlighting her commitment and hard work. "Her sense of humour and we had so much fun everyday – she cracks me up laughing," he shared. This camaraderie and support were a silver lining for Angela, who cherished the fun and laughter they shared throughout the show.
The Strictly spectacle continues
As Angela and Carlos took their final bow, the Strictly Come Dancing stage is set for its next act. The musicals special is on the horizon, promising to bring back the glitz and glamor that fans adore. Meanwhile, Angela's "wild ride" may have come to an end on Strictly, but her journey of growth and newfound friendships shines as a testament to the show's impact beyond the dance floor.
Her dance partner Carlos said:
'Her commitment and her strength every day, day by day – I'm a professional dancer and she works so hard, harder than me! Look at her now – I am so proud, her sense of humour and we had so much fun everyday – she cracks me up laughing!'
Read more
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⋙ Strictly Come Dancing takes an unforeseen turn as Amanda Abbington quits show
⋙ Here's what Strictly's Dianne Buswell thought when she found out she was paired with Bobby Brazier
